Riff Tone
I Wanna Be Somebody
W.A.S.P.
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas (early 80s, likely custom, as used by Chris Holmes on debut album)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, as used in studio for debut album, confirmed by multiple sources and era-typical for Holmes)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbucker (likely SH-4 JB or similar, bridge position, as per era and artist's known setup)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 debut album. Chris Holmes played main rhythm/riff parts. Guitar tuned to Eb. No evidence of pedals in the riff section; distortion from amp. No chorus, flanger, or delay audible on riff. No evidence of effects loop or studio post-processing on rhythm tone.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gain cruncharticulate low endfocused midrangecutting treble edgeminimal ambiencedry, in-your-face soundcrisp pick attackno modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting, tight alternate picking, and consistent attack to achieve the signature 80s metal rhythm sound, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex timing.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas (early 80s, likely custom, as used by Chris Holmes on debut album)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, as used in studio for debut album, confirmed by multiple sources and era-typical for Holmes)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbucker (likely SH-4 JB or similar, bridge position, as per era and artist's known setup)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid5
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 debut album. Chris Holmes played main rhythm/riff parts. Guitar tuned to Eb. No evidence of pedals in the riff section; distortion from amp. No chorus, flanger, or delay audible on riff. No evidence of effects loop or studio post-processing on rhythm tone.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gain cruncharticulate low endfocused midrangecutting treble edgeminimal ambiencedry, in-your-face soundcrisp pick attackno modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting, tight alternate picking, and consistent attack to achieve the signature 80s metal rhythm sound, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex timing.
More W.A.S.P. tones
- I Wanna Be Somebody · distorted
- L.O.V.E. Machine · riff
- Miss You · solo
- The Gypsy Meets the Boy · riff
- The Headless Children · riff
- What I'll Never Find · solo